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Caeda helped him to mount on her pegasus. Marth wasn't skilled with horses but he had never rode a flying mount before. Caeda decided to slowly fly away but the young prince saw during training that she could be really fast. Jagen, Cain and Abel who were watching them from the ground became smaller and smaller to the point that they appeared as small as pieces of chess. The pegasus flew over the Talys island. They passed in front mountain peak and the royal palace without a stop. The young princess asked her mount to fly even higher. "Look Marth, from here we can see the Lefcandith coast. One day we will return to the continent and one day we will free Altea" she said. The view was beautiful, the sea was reflecting the orange of the twilight, far away a village could be seen and many small lights appeared as the day was fading. Yes, one day he will return to the continent, then he could count on his knights and Caeda. The Talys King told him that when the time will come he would be helped by new allies. Then he will be ready to fight the Dolhr Empire. This ride did him good. Lately he had been sad, thinking about his kingdom and his sister. But the young princess succeeded in making him smile again. "Thanks you Caeda" he told her when they arrived at the court of the fort where he resided.

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The army was divided in two to face Laus' troops. To Roy's surprise they had been joined in their fight by Clarine, a troubadour, and by a mysterious myrmidon. Roy, Dieck and Shanna were taking care of the part of Erik's army that was mobilized on the south of the Laus territory while Elen was healing them. Meanwhile Allen, Lance and Marcus were fighting on the north. Roy has to join them to launch the assault on the fortress guarded by Erik. He explained the situation to Shanna who immediately helped him to mount on her pegasus behind her. "Hold on tie, Roy" she said while her pegasus left the ground right away. The young man had already been on pegasus before but the way Shanna steered her mount was different that the other cavaliers. The landscape was passing really quickly beneath them. An enemy cavalier tried to attack them but they were already too far away. Roy hanged on Shanna who had a happy laugh. "It's wonderful, right?" she asked. But he was too caught off guard to answer. It's true that once used to it was actually something pleasant, he had never felt more free. Shanna's way of flying reflected her personality; free, energetic and cheerful. They arrived in front of Laus Castle. Roy shouldn't forget that they were in the middle of a battle. "Thank you Shanna" he said when she dropped him. He took out his rapier, ready to fight Erik the enemy commander. But he was already facing the mysterious myrmidon who finished him with a powerful sword move. The battle was finally over and thankfully none of Roy's allies had fallen. But it wasn't the moment to muse, he had to claim the control of the fortress and to establish contact with the local population. Marquess Erik wasn't very loved and Roy knew that he won't have any trouble to obtain the villagers' trust. It was his duty as the leader of the army to take care of this task. He tought a minute about the joy he felt while in the air. "I hope that everything will be alright" he thought when entering the castle.

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The port of Bethroen was occupied by Grado's troops. Just as he expected. Yet a part of the enemy army was after a deserter. Duessel! Ephraim knew that the Obsidian could hold out for a while but he had to quickly join him. Then the old general could explain to them why emperor Vigarde started this war. He had to hurry. Around him his own men were fighting the enemy soldiers. The young prince trusted them, they could carry out the battle without him. By passing by the sky he wouldn't have any troubles to reach the area where Duessel and his cavaliers were retreated. Vanessa, a powerful Frelian knight, could maybe take him on her pegasus. But she was busy on the sea. Tana could fulfill this mission! The young princess recently joined their group. Ephraim couldn't get over the fact that she had joined the battlefield. And yet she was here supporting her allies the best she could. It wasn't a whim, Tana was now a full fledged out pegasus kight. They had all changed so much: Tana, Eirika, Innes, him...and Lyon... The blue haired princess interrupted his thought "I'm a good flyer ,right!". "Yes you fly very well, you improved since the last time" he answered. "How could you know? Each time I wanted to show you my riding skills but you always declined the offer, to have duels with Innes instead" reminded him Tana. He had forgotten, it was true that during the meetings between the royal families of Renais and Frelia he preferred to spend his time with the young silver haired prince. "Sorry, now I realize that I missed something" he said. Tana dropped him in the village in front of which Duessel was retreated. "See you later" she said while flying away.

Ephraim reached Duessel but it wasn't the time to talk, they will have their discussion later, when the fight would be over. A group of enemy wyvern riders were coming! The knight leading them, on his blue mount, was heading toward Duessel. To stop him a pegasus knight went to encounter him; the young prince recognized the rider by her sapphire-colored hair. "Tana!" he called her. But she was too far to hear him. She had a martial training and she already proved that she was able to fight but Grado's wyvern riders were well known for their strength. But at Ephraim's surprise the two opponents didn't exchanged any blows. The wyvern rider even started to attacks the other soldiers of the empire!Duessel and Ephraim succeeded to advance at the east. "Cormag!" recognized the old general when he arrived next to the mysterious wyvern rider. Ephraim had no idea of what happened in the sky but one thing was sure: Tana had been able to convince her opponent to join them. So many things were lost in this war, but Tana's pure heart remained. And one of the sole certainties he had in this conflict was that he could always count on her.

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Khalid or rather Claude, as he was known in Foldan, arrived on the flying ground. Of course Ingrid was ready, her cavalier outfit perfectly adjusted she was holding her pegasus by the bridle. "You'r finally here! Don't forget to put your the regulatory flying outfit and hurry up to join me with your wyvern." Less than a week ago Ingrid had decided to join the Gloden Deer class but it seems that she had already adapted to this change. He already saw that she was a formidable lancer during the mock battle that accompanied the start of the year, he also observed that she was able to demonstrate a strong determination. Leonie told him that after their spear handling lesson Ingrid returned to train after eating and only stopped after being sure that she mastered the lance technique studied. In a certain way she reminded Claude of his own mother.

He had finally finished to put his cavalier clothes. He walked out the changing room and entered the stable. In Almyra, to become a man (or a woman) you need to master wyvern riding so the house leader asked his professor to prepare the certification exam for the Wyvern Rider class, the former mercenary accepted and even if as usual the blue haired teacher didn't conveyed any emotion Claude knew that his request raised curiosity. Learning the fly was all the more important for a prince, the young man was aware that to be able to led the Immortal Corps he will have to ride his own wyvern. He already had his own mount, he called her Sarie after Nader's advices, the general was taking care of the animal when Claude was away, she was a white wyvern -following the tradition for riders with royal blood- when he left for Fodlan she had the height of a big dog but she will soon reach her adult form. Normaly his friends who will make up his personal guard have already started their training. But Claude trusted his professor. When he will reunite with them he would be at their level.

"Let's go" said Ingrid when he arrived with a brown wyvern. At his surprise despit having started the flying lesson recently Ingrid was already doing well on her flying mount. The leader of the Golden Deer understood that the young noble already practiced a little the fly back in the kingdom.Claude himself already mounted a wyvern before, he never led it but he wasn't totally a novice in the matter. "Be careful Claude, your legs should be more straight" adviced Ingrid. They simply had to attain a certain height on their flying mounts and to watch the surroundings of the monastery. It was really different to the situations they would face in a battle but he know that Byleth assigned them to this task so they would improve their flying skills. "Nothing suspect in the South" informed Ingrid. " Eh nothing suspect in the North" he answered. He observed how the monastery was protected; nothing is left to hazard. Garreg Mach was an academy, the center of the most important religion of the continent, but it was also a formidable fortress. "Nothing suspect in the West if not Sylvain's woes with yet another girl" mumbled Ingrid with a bitter ton. "Nothing suspect in the East either" he said as he descended. Ingrid followed him. Claude noticed that she arranged for her pegasus to swoop down. It clearly increased her speed. Claude tried to do like her. "To make your mount feel safer let your head lie down towards its neck". He complied to her advices. He had forgotten but he had already saw Nader doing the same.

When they were back on the ground Ingrid asked him if it was the first time that he was leading a flying mount. She was surprised when he said that it was the case. "Talent does came with the years, it seems, you are already really skilled" she told him. "You know I noticed that you also didn't started to fly long ago and yet you managed to teatch me some tips. You are also really skilled. The person who will have you in their army will be a lucky one" he answered. Glad and surprised on the same time the young lady thanked him quickly. Claude was good at guessing things about individual by simply looking at them. Ingrid was more comfortable than him, but some small moves betrayed the fact that she was a beginner, yet she was progressing really quickly, probebly the result of an hard work and of her own talent. She could support him in his learning and she could also support the other Golden Deer. He also liked the strength that emanated from this girl. The prejudices of the Almyrian toward the habitants of Foldan were truly unfounded. One thing was sure :having Ingrid in your class was an asset. She will probably be an asset to any army she could join. But for now they were simply students at the Officers Academy. For now.

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It was time for Leif to return to his army; they could then advance to Munster. So much time had passed since the young man's escape from the castle. Vled and Raydrik will finally pay for their crimes! Leif had been brought to Alster by Eda, the wyvern rider, to meet his cousin. Quite ironic knowing that Leif's parents ,Ethlyn and Quan, were about to reunite with Sigurd, Seliph's father, when they were ambushed by Travant and his wyvern knights. But Leif trusted the young woman and her brother Deen; not all Thracians were bad people. Seliph asked a Pegasus knight from his army to bring Leif back to his troops. Her name was Hermina and she appeared trustworthy.

Hermina like Karin and Misha had green hair, a kind of gentleness emanated from her although she also looked serious. But in a certain way Hermina also reminded him of Finn. From the sky everything seemed so small. "Do I fly as well as Karin?" asked the young cavalier.She immediately explained " Karin and I we started our training to become knight on the same time. But we both went our separate ways, Karin left to search prince Ced while I left for more personal reasons...". Leif explained to her that he never flied at that height with Karin but that to him their levels seemed close. He was now curious about Hermina. He knew that formidable warriors wielding legendary weapons like prince Shannan or Ares the Black Knight were fighting alongside Seliph but he never thought about the more ordinary combatants. Now he realized that it was stupid: it was obvious that not all the people fighting inside the Liberation couldn't be heirs of the legendary crusaders. And even then not all the descendants inherited the ability to use an holy weapon. Him for example.

Hermina explained that originally she was seeking her brother but that she decided to join the Liberation army when she heard that Sigurd's son was leading troops to free Isaach. Leif thought that she was worthy of admiration. He only sarted his fight against the empire when he was forced to; when Raydrik attacked the Fiana village where he was hidding. Hermina had decided by herslef to fight for justice. She was very admiring of Queen Erinys, and of all the heroes who had fought alongside Sigurd. She would probebly be happy to meet Finn. After all, Leif also grew up hearing those stories, this time told by the loyal lance knight.

"Yourself Leif you have accomplished feats worthy of celebration. You succed at raising a powerful army while starting with almost noting. I greatly admire your accomplishments. You must have taken after your parents and you uncle" said the young knight. The young man was too surprised to say anything. "Ho Leif, I managed to make you blush! But I really think what I just said. You can be proud of yourself!. He answered "Actually Hermina I think that you can also be proud of yourself. You are really chivalric to have joined this army, I know that my cousin can count on you. Generals are often praised but it's often forgotten that a leader is nothing without their allies". This time it was Hermina's time to blush.

Hermina dropped him at the place where his army was waiting for him. It was surprising but the three pegasus knights that he knew had each their own style of flying. Misha's one was powerful and precis and reminded him of an hawk. Karin on her mount was more agile. And Hermina was graceful and quick. It was maybe due to the pegasus but Leif felt that the rider had ,to some extend, an influence on the flight. Hermina flew back to the Liberation army. They will meet again. First Leif and his allies had to liberate Munster. Then they will merge with Seliph's army. Yes, they will meet again.

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He was surrounded by Vaida's wyvern cavaliers. But Hector could totally take their attacks. But enemies magic users were approaching. He took his hand axe ready to counterattack. He managed to doge a shaman's attack, the dark mage was immediately felled by the young man's axe; however he got it by an Inferno spell sent by an anima mage. But he could still hold on. A sage, wielding a red book, was about to attack Hector. Suddenly a pegasus and its rider landed right between Hector and his opponent. The young noble immediately recognized the pegasus knight by her dark blue hair. Farina. The mercenary he just hired. For 20,000 gold. She dodged the sage's attack and killed him by a single it of her killer lance. Hector had to admit that her skills were, at least a little, commensurate with her salary. Immediately she took Hector on her pegasus behind her. "What are you doing?". She instantly answered "I'm doing what I'm paid for."

An enemy mounted on his wyvern was chasing them.Normally Farina could have avoided him with no troubles by carrying Hector slowed down her pegasus. She couldn't dodge her opponent's lance strike. "Farina!" he screamed. "It's alright; I know what I'm doing" said the pegasus knight. Yet Hector could totally see that she was wounded. Florina separated the wyvern rider from his preys; Lyn finished this enemy with her newly acquired archery skills. The girl from the plain and her purple haired friend had always formed a great pair. The shy Florina had, with time, become a formidable warrior, Lyn's influence probably helped this evolution. He saw, far away, Eliwood and Fiora who supported each other to fight wyvern riders. They came from very different backgrounds and their fighting styles were different but they had in common a certain grace in their movements. Hector didn't knew the Illian mercenary very well but he noticed that his red haired friend liked to spent time with her. What about himself, Hector? What kind of duo did he formed with the third sister? Probebly something not glorious at the moment; they had both been wounded and would almost collapse.

The finally reached the other side of the hill; a place with less enemies. Farina put him down. Priscilla quickly healed the young noble. He was about to ask her to take care of his companion first but Pent already magically treated her wound at distance. The count Reglay really mastered magic! Hector wanted to thank Farina but she had already flew away to help her younger sister. It would be for later. For now they had to deal with their opponents.

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They had been betrayed! A veritable army of Plegien were blocking their path and started to advance toward them. One of Phila's knight just warned them that enemy reinforcements will arrive. It will be a tough battle! Before eleborating any strategy Robin should watch all the parameters that could play a role in the battle. Observing the battlefield from the sky would be perfect. Sumia was busy to support Frederick who was trying to clean the path. He could ask to the pegasus knight who just joined them. Cordelia, it was her name. He didn't knew her very well for now but he felt that he could trust her. "Understood. Let's go." she said while helping him to mount on her pegasus right after that he explained the situation. She was an exemplary soldier!

From the place where they were he could see all the fighters present. He noticed a Plegian brigant holding a martel; he has to tell Frederick about this potential danger. He already noticed the enemy archers who could kill the knights riding a flying mount with a single hit and he asked Sumia to avoid being exposed to their arrows. The leader of the Plegian army was a wyvern rider who was giving his order from the Est. Sully, on her horse, should be able to fight her way out, bringing Chrom with her. By combining their forces the young prince and his knight should triumph over the enemy general. But the strategist noticed that Cordelia and him weren't alone over the cliff. A full squad of Plegia's wyvern riders was standing, ready to descend upon Ylisse's army. He had to take care of this element, if they were careful Cordelia and him should be able to deal with it without any trouble.

Robin quickly explained to Chrom the strategy. Thanks to Cordelia he was aware that enemies would arrive from the West; he planned to position soldiers to counter these reinforcements as soon as they arrive. After that the strategist left with the red haired pegasus knight to an other part of the battlefied. They attacked a wyvern rider who didn't lasted long before Robin's "wind" magic. They moved in a place were no more than a single enemy could attack them at once. The strategist was impressed by Cordelia's skill to perform critical hit. Her place in Ylisse's Pegasus Knight Corps was not usurped. Then they joined the troops fighting at the West to support them against the Plegian renforcements. He finally noticed that all their opponents had fleed or fallen in the battle. As expected the enemy commander had been defeated by Sully and Chrom.

The situation was actually worse than expected. Emmeryn and Phila had to return to the capital to protect the inhabitants. Chrom and Lisa were really worried for their sister. Plegia now had the advantage in this war. Of all the Pegasus Knight squad defending the capital only Cordelia was still alive. The young woman was feeling guilty about the death of her companions. She was seeing herself as weak. But Robin knew that in reality she was worthy of the knight title. But even the most experienced warrior couldn't alone change the course of a battle. But Cordelia was seeing herself as a failure. Robin hopped that she will eventually feel better. He hopped that their group could help her to see her true worth. He hopped.

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They had managed to flee the city of Cyrkensia. No one had followed them. They were safe in the countryside of Nestra. This place was much quieter than the city. Azura could heard seagull noices, they were close to the sea. She had never been in this kingdom before, yet she had the feeling of recognizing it. Suddenly a distant memory came back to him.

She was around four years old, even less maybe. Her mother was showing her a bouquet of blue flowers. Some Caeldoris of Hydra! Her mother's favorite flowers. They grown in rare places. The queen of Nohr explained to her daughter that they only bloom in Nestra and... in their home country. Garon had taken advantage of his travel to Cyrkensia with his wife to bring her back her favorite flowers. Now the king of Nohr was nothing more than the shadow of the man he used to be. She would like to see again the flowers that her mother loved so much.

"Everything is alright Azura?" asked Subaki who noticed that she was in her thoughts. Subaki had always been very protective but ever since he promised to always protect her, he spent even more time with her. She told him about her mother's favorite flowers. He listened attentively and suggested that they take advantage of the fact that they were in the area to go and pick some. He assured to the princess that thanks to his pegasus they will be back in no time and that taking this instant was in no way contradictory to his duties as a knight since taking care of Azura was part of his duties.

Surprisingly Azura had never rode Subaki's pegasus before. Probably because during the battles she preferred to stay on the ground to assist her companions. Subaki himself was strengthened by Azura's songs. And he was already a formidable warrior without any external help. Yet Azura noticed that since the start of this war Subaki was often around her, always ready to help. He was probably following Sakura's order. Despite the fact that they didn't had any blood ties the youngest princess of Hoshido and her were like sisters. Sakura was always worried for her family, especially Azura. Rightly so, since distant members of the royal family hated her enough to send assassins after her. Without Subaki she would no longer be in this world. On the ground or in the air she was always feeling safe when with Subaki. Since he was aware that she wasn't used to flying Subaki avoided to make any aerial maneuvers to accelerate. The pegasus was already flying at a high speed, but Azura knew that Subaki could be even faster. He was always pushing his own limits. Sometime a bit too much. Azura tried to help him find stability between his health and his desire to always deliver the best of himself. Yet Subaki was also a source of comfort for her. He always managed to convince her that everything would be alright. If only she could tell him about Valla! They were arriving at the place where the Caeldoris of Hydra were blooming.

Azura recognized the flowers at first sight. The field was covered by plenty of caeldoris, Subaki picked one. The flower had a white heart surrounded by thin, petals of a light blue. The smell was exactly like in her memories. Emotions overwhelmed the young blue-haired woman. "Thank you Subaki" she said.

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Corrin hoped for some respite before they arrival at Notre Sagesse but the Hoshidan had took the control of Port Dia and prevented any ferries from leaving. No doubt, to carry out their mission they will have to fight! Takumi was leading the enemy troops. His biological brother! They haven't met since this fateful day. The young Nohrian prince hoped that he would resolve the conflict without making any casualty. Today the Hoshidan were their enemies but they were also brothers, sisters, sons, daughters... For now Corrin had always managed to triomphe without killing any human. He hoped it would always be so. Thankfully he could always count on his formidable allies. Elise, just like him, refused to kill. Her retainers Arthur and Effie were happy to serve their princess without taking any life. Felicia and Silas also made sure to avoid finishing off their opponents so they could help him without betraying his ideal of pacifism. Azura grew up in Hoshido and, even if this nation had rejected her, she was still bound to it; Corrin felt that he had ordered to not hurting Hoshidian. Niles and Odin obeyed to Corrin but the young man was aware that they were both glad to have an occasion to show their skill by winning a duel without killing their opponents. Corrin also knew that his way of doing had raised the curiosity of the mysterious Nyx who therefore conformed to it during battles. Together they could succeed!

They had organized themselves to be able to withstand the enemy waves. They were behind a wall delimiting the entrance to the port. Niles was using a ballista to weaken the Hoshidian before they could arrive to them. Nyx was doing the same with a Fire Orb. Silas went to warn a house that a conflict was taking place at the port and that Takumi's troops would soon reach them, then the cavalier would stand in front of a breach in the wall to welcome any enemy ready to attack from that side. Felicia was with him; ready to support and heal him if needed. Effie and Arthur were guarding an opening; preventing any enemy from passing through. Corrin, in his dragon form, had ventured on the other side of the wall to warn an house. His scales protected him from the attacks but an enemy ninja managed to weaken him. The young men hurried to return in the safe zone. Elise immediately healed him thanks to Azura's support. Together formed a great pair. Logic since they were sisters. Would he have a similar bound with Sakura if he had chosen Hoshido? It wasn't the time to mope on the situation! The enemies were more than planned. Suddenly two women, a blue haired wyvern rider and a red haired mercenary, arrived from the north and joined the Nohrian army. At first Corrin didn't recognize them. The red haired one was apparently really mad that Corrin didn't remembered them. Her friend, named Beruka, mounted on her wyvern added with no conviction that Corrin was "heartless". Then Camilla arrived! The two women were her retainers: Selena and Beruka. Corrin was relieved to see her. His big sister was a formidable warrior, Selena and Beruka probably were too. Apparently the two young women used to watch over him, hidden in the shadows. He hoped that he could become friend with Camilla's retainers now that he knew them. Corrin explained that they avoided to kill their enemies. Selena still appeared angry but agreed not to finish off her enemies; she seemed a little intrigued by this approach. Beruka silently agreed when Camilla asked her to follow Corrin's instructions. She was quite enigmatic.

Oboro, one of Takumi's retainer, was guarding the bridge. Corrin knew that she was very strong and could represent a threat for the advance of the Nohrian amy. He had to make her retreat, but before he had to reach her. Thankfully Beruka and Camilla were each mounted on a wyvern. One of them could bring Corrin next to Oboro. Then Corrin could defeat her. Camilla was busy at the est, fighting alongside Silas. Corrin explained his plan to Beruka. "Understood" she simply replied before helping him to mount on her wyvern. On their way a ninja tried to attack them; Corrin parried the shuriken blow with his Yato, Beruka made the enemy collapse by hitting him with a flat end of his axe. Fortunately the young man noticed that their opponent was still breathing. "He's knocked out," explained the young woman with light blue hair. She had perfect control of her weapon. It was amazing! They finally arrived to face Oboro. The young lancer regretted as much as him the fratricidal conflict between Takumi and him. Beruka skillfully blocked the spear attacks aimed at Corrin. The young man, as a dragon, snatched Oboro's weapon with a swipe of his tail; as planned Takumi's retainer was forced to leave the battlefield. Beruka and him continued to clear the path. The way was finally clear , Felicia could weaken Takumi before Silas, supported by Camilla, managed to force him to retreat.

Takumi and his men were forced to leave the battlefield. The Nohrians had managed to avoid a slaughter. Without his allies, Corrin would have never accomplish this difficult task. He congratulated them on this victory. Beruka wasn't showing any emotion, but Corrin knew she was happy. He hoped he could become friends with her ,as well as Selena. Everyone deserves to be surrounded and supported by friends after all.

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A gentle wind was blowing across the plain. It was bathing in the orange light of the dusk. It was the perfect time to fly over it on a flying mount. Lyn followed her friend Florina. The young apprentice truned to the girl from the plains. "Ready" she asked. "Ready!" answered Lyn. The young nomad used the help of her friend's arm to climb onto the Pegasus' back. Huey galloped straight ahead before taking off.

The first time Lyn saw Florina she couldn't believe that a little girl could be a pegasus knight. It must be said that the Pegasus knight was not in her best light. Lyn, at first, had only seen Huey. She had never saw a pegasus without a rider before. She had naively believed he was wild one. Now she knew that these animals, when they were wild, normally never approached the plains ; even less alone without a herd. Florina had taught her so much about pegasi and the customs and traditions of Illia! Lyn hoped she had been able to impart as much knowledge to her friend. Intrigued by the horse, she approached him discreetly. It was there that she discovered Florina clinging to the branch of a tree. A group of bees had swooped down on the pegasus knight and her mount, panicked Florina asked Huey to come down, the maneuver had been so quick that she had been ejected and landed in this tree. She couldn't get down. When she saw Lyn she was relieved even though she was still crying. Getting her back down had been quite difficult; she wasn't that far from the ground and the tree trunk was steep enough to slide back down without any problem, but the young Illian was paralyzed by fear. With Lyn's many encouragements, she finally began the descent. Once on the ground ,she thanked Lyn and introduced herself. The two were friends since then. That was a little over two years ago. Florina had grown so much since that day. Lyn certainly had too.

When she was flying on her pegasus Florina appeared as more confident in herself. "Let's go Huey" she said. Huey's flying was quite regular. Florina had now the flying skills of a full fledged pegasus knight.Of course she wasn't yet at Thany (the commander of her squad)'s level but Lyn was aware that she had made many progress since the start of her training. Florina herself affirmed it. The young purple haired woman wasn't one to brag, but Lyn knew she was very proud to be part of Illia's formidable Pegasus Knights. And she was right to be. She also knew how to wield a lance, but Lyn had never seen her using a weapon. The nomad herself was just beginning to learn how to use a sword.

Flying through the air was actually quite enjoyable. Was Florina feeling this excitement each time every time Huay took off? Probebly not, she must be used to it now. From the sky, all the tents of Lorca's tribe looked really tiny. Lyn could see the stone buildings of the city of Bulgar. To the north she could vaguely see the snow-capped peaks of Illia. To the south and west the mountains marked the end of the plains. Lyn also knew that even further west was Lycia, the nation her mother came from. The world was really huge! And when she would finally be a mercenary, Florina will travel through it. Not alone of course. But still, It was so strange for Lyn to imagine Florina fulfilling war contracts. But things were like that in Ilia. People had few options other than the mercenary way. But Lyn also knew that some Iliens had been knighted by nobles from Biran, Lycia, or Eturnia. Others had joined a Lycian tribe. Yes, Lyn knew that Florina would be the mistress of her own fate.

It was starting to get dark, so they decided to head back. Florina landed quickly and smoothly. It was a very pleasant ride. Lyn thanked her friend and complimented her on her flying skills. Her friend blushed. Lyn knew their friendship would never end.

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Dimitri tried to foccus on the dish he was cooking. He attempted to use the advice that Dedue had taught him. Marianne was with him in the kitchen. At first glance, their relationship seemed unchanged from their time at the academy. Yet Dimitri knew it would never be the same. He had become a true beast, devoid of any humanity and only living for revange. He had become a monster. He once tought that he and Marianne were similar. But in reality, they couldn't be more different. Marianne's "curse" was actually Maurice's, the eleventh member of the Ten Elites; she wasn't a beast. He knew that it allowed Marianne to finally make peace with herself, even though he was in his "boar period" during the confrontation with the forgotten hero. The young man knew that will never feel such deliverance. Even Edelgard's head wouldn't give him peace! Another key difference between Marianne and him. Despite all the terrible things that had befallen her and her family, she had remained a gentle and caring person. He knew that killing on the battlefield cost her a lot, but she was willing to do it for her friends. And she certainly never listened to ghosts! It was too late for him; he had already gone too far. No, he had to continueto fight his demons; Rodrigue's sacrifice must not be in vain.

He made an effort to focus only on cooking. To focus on the present moment. He had to do it to move forward. After they were finished, Marianne asked, "Dimitri, perhaps we could go together for a walk with my pegasus." It was the first time she had spoken to him since the fall of Garreg Mach! He stammered a little. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea for him to be away from the monastery; somewhere where no one could keep an eye on him. But Marianne insisted, "Come on, Dimitri, I know it will do you good." He admitted defeat. Marianne was no longer a shy, isolated girl. She had made so much progress since she had joined the academy five years earlier.

They were in the forest near the monastery. When he was a student, he often went there during his free time. The woods hadn't changed much in those five years. Marianne's pegasus followed them at a walking pace. The blue-haired young woman met her mount when she was still a student. Their teacher had encouraged her to follow the path of pegasus knight. Probably because she had always been good with animals. Was she also good with boars? He immediately dismissed the stupid idea. He himself had , at one point during his time at the academy, fought on horseback, but he eventually discovered that he was even better at charging at his enemies with his lance wihtout a mount. He didn't know where he horse was now; he hoped it hadn't suffered from the war. They finally arrived at the clearing. "This place is perfect for taking off." Dimitri had never rode a flying mount before. Wyvern riders were rather rare in Faergus, the Kingdom had its own Pegasus Knight corps but transporting members of the royal familly wasn't part of it's duties.

At first, he tought that riding a pegasus was finally not so different from riding a land horse. Then Marianne made her mount take off! They cut through the air. It was a strange sensation. Then the pegasus straightened and spread its wings without beating them. Dimitri was feeling a strong blow. Above, the clouds. Below, all of Fodlan. Only the surroundings of Garreg Mach, actually, but he felt like he was above the entire continent. He knew that soon they would fight to reclaim Fhirdiad. It would be a tough fight, but he knew he could count on all his allies. Even at the worst time they had managed to keep up. Usually, when he thought about the battles to come, he thought of the rage he would unleash against his enemies. The beast he would turn into. But not now; he was only thinking of the present moment. Here, now, he was simply Marianne's friend. The boar, the delusional king, the leader of the Blue Lions, the Crown Prince, Dee... Everything had remained on the ground. And he was feelign so free! He no was longer hearing the screams of the ghosts of his past. "It feels good here, doesn't it?" Marianne asked. She had always been able to truly understood him.

Back on the ground, Dimitri returned to his responsibilities and worries. But he was still feeling better thanks to Marianne. Yes, his situation will improve. He could count on formidable allies to support him. He had hope.

Chapter Text

A storm of javelins was about to fall upon him! He expected to feel the lances pierce through his flesh. But instead he felt that he was leaving the ground.A pegasus knight had appeared and made him ride on her mount! He heard the javelins hitting the ground. He had escaped by the skin of his theeth thanks to his savior. It was Sumia! No doubt, it was her sliky silver-brown hair.

He had failed! He hoped he could carry out this diplomatic mission for Emmeryn. But he had been thought to be an impostor. Fortunately thank to Sumia nothing bad happened yet; he still has the possibility to solve everything without any bloodsheed.

"Better hold on tight, Captain. Could get bumpy."

The young woman seemed to be so different than usual. She had spoke with self-confidence and seriousness. Her clumsiness seemed gone. Chrom was a little taken aback by the situation, especially since he wasn't used to ride a flying mount.

He quieckly answered to his savior:

"Uh...right."

Sumia turned and gave him a sunny smile:

"You'll be fine."

It warmed a bit his heart. It was true that he was far from having accomplished his mission but it wasn't over yet. Regna Ferox had the reputation of being the warriors' nation, to be taken seriously here you have to show that you know to fight. He hadn't failed. And he could count on his companions. It was probebly what Emmeryn would tell him if she were here. Sumia was quite clumsy but she always tried to lift up the spirits of the others when the needed it. Her pegasus was certainly the one she had healed. The animal was in a way better shape than when he saw it.

He felt that they were coming down. The pegasus landed next to the other members of the Shepherds. They had all saw what just happened. Chrom noticed that Sumia blushed when the others congratulated her; she deserved it. Her and her mount were already a great team.

Chrom got ready to the fight. His companions and he will show their true valor. He know he can count on them.